The International Society of Automation (www.isa.org) is a nonprofit professional association that sets the standard for those who apply engineering and technology to improve the management, safety, and cybersecurity of modern automation and control systems used across industry and critical infrastructure. Founded in 1945, ISA develops widely used global standards; certifies industry professionals; provides education and training; publishes books and technical articles; hosts conferences and exhibits; and provides networking and career development programs for its 40,000 members and 400,000 customers around the world.

ISA owns Automation.com, a leading online publisher of automation-related content, and is the founding sponsor of The Automation Federation (www.automationfederation.org), an association of non-profit organizations serving as “The Voice of Automation.” Through a wholly owned subsidiary, ISA bridges the gap between standards and their implementation with the ISA Security Compliance Institute (www.isasecure.org) and the ISA Wireless Compliance Institute (www.isa100wci.org).

Choose from one category below to get involved now!

ISA members have access to dozens of unique benefits. Update your member profile, set your communications preferences, find products and services that are right for you, and more – all from the convenience of your ISA website.

ISA has the resources and expert networks that you need – no matter what position you hold in our industries. Browse the products and services designed to meet the needs of these common industry roles:

ISA awarded me a 2013-2014 scholarship to help fund my education. I would not have been able to keep going to school if I had not received it. So, I want to give thanks to the many people of the ISA who work on securing the future of the organization just as the original founders had. ISA was and is forged and founded from true honesty and integrity that you will not find in to many other professions.

The White House, the Automation Federation and ISA celebrate the official launch of the US Cybersecurity Framework

This unique, public-private partnership effort now turns to the plan's implementation

Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, USA (14 February 2014) - The official rollout of the US Cybersecurity Framework, recognized this past Wednesday in an announcement delivered by President Barack Obama, represents the completion of a successful partnership effort among The White House, the Automation Federation and its founding organization, the International Society of Automation (ISA). Now, the second phase of the partnership-working together to implement the framework-begins.

The US Cybersecurity Framework, the result of a year-long initiative to develop a voluntary how-to guide for American industry and operators of critical infrastructure to strengthen their cyber defenses. is a key deliverable from the Executive Order on "Improving Critical Infrastructure Cybersecurity" that President Obama announced in his 2013 State of the Union address.

During the past year, representatives of the Automation Federation and ISA have been assisting the US government-at the White House's request-to help develop and refine a draft of the US Cybersecurity Framework. Both organizations were sought out as essential government advisors given their expertise in developing and advocating for industrial automation and control system (IACS) security standards. The ANSI/ISA99, Industrial Automation and Control Systems Security standards (known internationally as ISA99/IEC 62443), are recognized globally for their comprehensive, all-inclusive approach to IACS security.

ISA's IACS security standards are among the framework's recommendations because they're designed to prevent and mitigate potentially devastating cyber damage to industrial plant systems and networks-commonly used in transportation grids, power plants, water treatment facilities, and other vital industrial settings. Without these defenses in place, industrial cyberattack can result in plant shutdown, operational and equipment impairment, severe economic and environmental damage, and public endangerment.

The launch of the US Cybersecurity Framework: A significant step forward in protecting US critical infrastructure from cyberwarfare

President Obama, in his statement released on Wednesday in Washington, DC, said that "cyber threats pose one the gravest national security dangers that the United States faces. I am pleased to receive the Cybersecurity Framework, which reflects the good work of hundreds of companies, multiple federal agencies and contributors from around the world."

The 41-page framework takes a risk-management approach that allows organizations to adapt to "a changing cybersecurity landscape and responds to evolving and sophisticated threats in a timely manner," according to the document.

Though the adoption of the framework is voluntary, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has established the Critical Infrastructure Cyber Community (C3) Voluntary Program to increase awareness and use of the Cybersecurity Framework. The C3 Voluntary Program will connect companies, as well as federal, state and local partners, to DHS and other federal government programs and resources that will assist their efforts in managing their cyber risks. Participants will be able to share lessons learned, receive guidance and learn about free tools and resources.

Attending the Wednesday launch event in the nation's capital was a contingent of Automation Federation officials, including Michael Marlowe, Automation Federation Managing Director and Director of Government Relations; Terry Ives, 2014 Chair of the Automation Federation; and Leo Staples, a past Chair of the Automation Federation who serves as leader of the Automation Federation's Cybersecurity Framework team.

"Given that the risk of cyberattacks targeted to industrial automation and control systems across all industry sectors continues to grow, it's important that the Automation Federation and ISA have been actively involved in the development of this national cybersecurity initiative," said Ives. "The Cybersecurity Framework provides an effective, comprehensive approach for industry sectors to determine their vulnerability to these kinds of attacks and the means to mitigate them."

Moving forward to implement the US Cybersecurity Framework: The Automation Federation to co-sponsor initial implementation seminar later this month

"Now that the Cybersecurity Framework has been officially launched by the Obama administration, we have been asked by The White House and the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) to assist in the framework's implementation," reports Marlowe. "We are actively underway in planning a series of implementation seminars throughout the US and as far away as London."

In fact, the first implementation seminar will be conducted late next week, on Friday, 21 February 2014 in Birmingham, Alabama, USA. The seminar will be sponsored by the Automation Federation and the Alabama Technology Network, a Working Group of the Automation Federation.

At the seminar, representatives from the White House, NIST and leading cybersecurity subject matter experts will outline the provisions and details of the Cybersecurity Framework, and will illustrate why IACS security standards are such fundamental components of the plan and its implementation.

Registration for the event is still open. To register, go online at www.atn.org, or contact Isaac Queen at +1-256-215-4253 or via email at jqueen@atn.org.

For more information about the ISA99/IEC 62443 series of cybersecurity standards, contact Charley Robinson via email at crobinson@isa.org, by calling +1 919-990-9213, or by visiting www.isa.org/standards.

About the Automation Federation

The Automation Federation is a global umbrella organization of sixteen (16) member organizations and five working groups engaged in automation activities. The Automation Federation enables its members to more effectively fulfill their missions, advance the science and engineering of automation technologies and applications, and develop the workforce needed to capitalize on the benefits of automation. The Automation Federation is the "Voice of Automation." For more information about the Automation Federation, visitwww.automationfederation.org.

About ISA

Founded in 1945, the International Society of Automation (www.isa.org) is a leading, global, nonprofit organization that is setting the standard for automation by helping over 30,000 worldwide members and other professionals solve difficult technical problems, while enhancing their leadership and personal career capabilities. Based in Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, ISA develops standards; certifies industry professionals; provides education and training; publishes books and technical articles; and hosts conferences and exhibitions for automation professionals. ISA is the founding sponsor of The Automation Federation (www.automationfederation.org).

This site uses cookies to store information on your computer. Some are essential to make our site work; others help us improve the user experience. By using this site, you consent to the placement of these cookies. View the ISA Privacy Policy